Miss Island Queen is a faʻafafine pageant held annually in American Samoa. It is noted for being the longest standing pageant of its kind in the South Pacific. It was first held in 1979 before undergoing a series of changes. No pageant was held in 1980 and 1982 as it endured shifts in ownership. It was canceled in 1986 due to a tropical cyclone and ceased again in 1999 and 2002 when it struggled with funding. In 1996 It was held simultaneously on the same evening as another faʻafafine pageant Empress of Samoa. In 2008 the pageant coincided with the Festival of Pacific Arts and became the closing event of festivities. After undergoing extensive reestablishment in 2010 the pageant has since been held during Flag Day week and broadcast live on KVZK-2. It is now known as Miss SOFIAS and maintains yearly advocacy and charity programs.
The pageant began as a marketing show for Herb & Sia's motel a family owned business, in its heyday it was a staple for Polynesian revues and local musicians. A gathering of faʻafafines shepherd by educators Leroy Lutu and Vena Sele led to pioneering the first fully organized beauty pageant in 1981. It came to prominence in the late 1980s when organizers incorporated educational awareness, community service and charitable causes in both American Samoa and neighboring Apia, Samoa. Governor A. P. Lutali was the first territorial leader to officially support the pageant in 1987 in years that followed numerous local dignitaries and politicians became fixtures at the event. The pageant was hugely successful by 1990 it spawned a faʻafafine performance troupe. The troupe entertained across the islands at public ceremonies and private events popularizing a streak of song and dance routines among them the apartheid anthem Gimme Hope Jo'anna, music from the soundtrack of Sarafina! and Samba in the night by Daniel Rae Costello many selections were opening themes of past island queen pageants.[1][2] Power struggles corrupted the pageant in the mid-1990s resulting in the exploitation of faʻafafines in countless beauty pageants publicized for financial gain.[3] Vena Sele and Leroy Lutu harbored creative differences and parted ways. Lutu went on to establish "Empresses of Samoa" and "Mizz Corona" pageants and Sele continued with Island Queens before leading "Miss American Sevens". American Sevens was originally operated under a netball association but at the height of its success became known as Seven Islands of American Samoa.
In the 2000s Miss American Sevens and Miss Island Queens pageants dominated the territory.[4] In 2010 American Sevens and Island Queens communally retired uniting to become S.O.F.I.A.S (Society of Faʻafafine in American Samoa). Organizers also preserved history honoring past winners under its retooled name. Three distinctive awards were awarded during the history of both pageants. In 2000 high chief Tiumalu Sia Scanlan was presented with a special award, in 2006 longtime serving member Rosie Moimoi was recognized by Island Queens and in 2005 founder Vena Sele was honored by the American Sevens for her legacy and service to both the faʻafafine community and her pioneering career.[5] Sele was the first fa'afafine to earn a doctorate degree, for a short term Sele was president of American Samoa Community College becoming the highest ranking fa'afafine at the time. Sele retired in 2005 and in 2007 published her autobiography "Memoirs of a Samoan, Catholic and Fa’afafine". Sele is widely known to have inspired many fa'afafines to pursue education many of whom affectionately call her "Mama". Sele lives in Tacoma, WA.[6] Leroy Lutu rose to great success with the Department of Education and retired in 2011. He was a popular local personality well known for his fashionable taste and socialite status. In 2008 both Sele and Lutu returned for the 25th anniversary of Miss Island Queens it was their last time together on stage. Lutu died in 2012.[7]
Notable Contestants & Winners
Cindy Filo was 3rd runner up in 1987’s Miss Island Queen.[8] Filo became “Cindy of Samoa” Samoa's first ever faʻafafine celebrity attracting tourism and fans for her drag revues in Apia. Filo toured her shows across the South Pacific and the United States.[9] Cindy was profiled in Heather Croall’s 1999 documentary Paradise Bent: Boys Will Be Girls in Samoa.[10] In 2008 Cindy was a finalist on the New Zealand reality show Stars in Their Eyes. She is profiled in Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand section on faʻafafine.[11]
[12]Michelle Eneliko was a prolific local educator who was 1st runner-up for Miss Island Queen 1990. Eneliko was among the fatality victims of the Samoa tsunami that devastated the Samoan islands on September 29, 2009.
[13] Miss Island Queen 1993, Shalimar (Atisone Seiuli) gained national media exposure in 1997 when she was arrested while in the company of Hollywood star Eddie Murphy.[14] The incident was publicized by tabloid magazines, TV shows and parodied on Mad TV and SNL resulting in several lawsuits brought on by Murphy and his lawyers. Seiuli died in Los Angeles reportedly in an accidental fall from her apartment building in 1998.[15] In 2003 the scandal was ranked #61 on E! TV's "The Greatest Shocking Moments in Entertainment History".
Rachael Ng Lam Miss Island Queen 1995 appeared in the 2011 sequel to the popular Samoan film “Tautoga Gaosia” playing herself.
[16] Miss Island Queen 1992 Loata Sipili is currently the highest ranking faʻafafine in American Samoa. Sipili is the only locally Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and administers the diabetes care and prevention clinic within LBJ Tropical Medical Center the territory’s only hospital.
Marsha Mageo, Shevon Matai, Shalimar Seiuli, Trisyss Ali & Samayah Jackson were all teenagers during their reign. Island Queens later adapted new regulations restricting eligibility.
Shevon Matai, Tasha Atio'o, Lydia Risati & Marion Mageo were all crowned twice as both Miss Island Queen & Miss American 7's
Pearl Mata'u is the oldest winner she was 40 when she won in 2003. Mata'u also holds the record for being the longest competitor a total of 10 times in the span of three decades.
Tasha Atio'o and Rexene Yandall are the only past winners to win pageant titles in American Samoa and Samoa.
Marion Malena Mageo Miss Island Queen 2005 & Miss American 7's 2007 is noted as a multiple pageant winner winning more than 8 titles in both American Samoa and the Mainland.
Miss Island Queen 2008 Princess Auva'a is a local movie actress . Auva'a starred in "Heart to Heart" and Seki A Oe: A Crazy Samoan Love Story, both filmed and produced in American Samoa & is serving in the US Army.
Miss SOFIAS 2017 Eden Brown was the winner of the 2014 "Le Leo O Amerika Samoa"
Ara-Lei Mahealani Yandall 2nd Runner Up in 2010 & 1st Runner Up in 2018 at the Miss SOFIAS Pageant was crowned as the 9th Miss UTOPIA International.
Miss Island Queen 2000 Agalelei Fatuesi became the first Faʻafafine to campaign for Public Office in the 2018 Election.
Miss SOFIAS 2013 Roberta Laumoli became the first Trans Fashion Designer to Showcase her creations & designs at the 2019 London Pacific Fashion Week representing American Samoa
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Miss Island Queen is a faʻafafine pageant held annually in American Samoa It is noted for being the longest standing pageant of its kind in the South Pacific It was first held in 1979 before undergoing a series of changes No pageant was held in 1980 and 1982 as it endured shifts in ownership It was canceled in 1986 due to a tropical cyclone and ceased again in 1999 and 2002 when it struggled with funding In 1996 It was held simultaneously on the same evening as another faʻafafine pageant Empress of Samoa In 2008 the pageant coincided with the Festival of Pacific Arts and became the closing event of festivities After undergoing extensive reestablishment in 2010 the pageant has since been held during Flag Day week and broadcast live on KVZK 2 It is now known as Miss SOFIAS and maintains yearly advocacy and charity programs Miss S O F I A SFormation1979TypeBeauty PageantLocationPago Pago American SamoaWebsitehttp assofias webs com Contents 1 History 2 Notable Contestants amp Winners 3 Past winners 4 Runners Up Miss SOFIAS Title 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe pageant began as a marketing show for Herb amp Sia s motel a family owned business in its heyday it was a staple for Polynesian revues and local musicians A gathering of faʻafafines shepherd by educators Leroy Lutu and Vena Sele led to pioneering the first fully organized beauty pageant in 1981 It came to prominence in the late 1980s when organizers incorporated educational awareness community service and charitable causes in both American Samoa and neighboring Apia Samoa Governor A P Lutali was the first territorial leader to officially support the pageant in 1987 in years that followed numerous local dignitaries and politicians became fixtures at the event The pageant was hugely successful by 1990 it spawned a faʻafafine performance troupe The troupe entertained across the islands at public ceremonies and private events popularizing a streak of song and dance routines among them the apartheid anthem Gimme Hope Jo anna music from the soundtrack of Sarafina and Samba in the night by Daniel Rae Costello many selections were opening themes of past island queen pageants 1 2 Power struggles corrupted the pageant in the mid 1990s resulting in the exploitation of faʻafafines in countless beauty pageants publicized for financial gain 3 Vena Sele and Leroy Lutu harbored creative differences and parted ways Lutu went on to establish Empresses of Samoa and Mizz Corona pageants and Sele continued with Island Queens before leading Miss American Sevens American Sevens was originally operated under a netball association but at the height of its success became known as Seven Islands of American Samoa In the 2000s Miss American Sevens and Miss Island Queens pageants dominated the territory 4 In 2010 American Sevens and Island Queens communally retired uniting to become S O F I A S Society of Faʻafafine in American Samoa Organizers also preserved history honoring past winners under its retooled name Three distinctive awards were awarded during the history of both pageants In 2000 high chief Tiumalu Sia Scanlan was presented with a special award in 2006 longtime serving member Rosie Moimoi was recognized by Island Queens and in 2005 founder Vena Sele was honored by the American Sevens for her legacy and service to both the faʻafafine community and her pioneering career 5 Sele was the first fa afafine to earn a doctorate degree for a short term Sele was president of American Samoa Community College becoming the highest ranking fa afafine at the time Sele retired in 2005 and in 2007 published her autobiography Memoirs of a Samoan Catholic and Fa afafine Sele is widely known to have inspired many fa afafines to pursue education many of whom affectionately call her Mama Sele lives in Tacoma WA 6 Leroy Lutu rose to great success with the Department of Education and retired in 2011 He was a popular local personality well known for his fashionable taste and socialite status In 2008 both Sele and Lutu returned for the 25th anniversary of Miss Island Queens it was their last time together on stage Lutu died in 2012 7 Notable Contestants amp Winners EditCindy Filo was 3rd runner up in 1987 s Miss Island Queen 8 Filo became Cindy of Samoa Samoa s first ever faʻafafine celebrity attracting tourism and fans for her drag revues in Apia Filo toured her shows across the South Pacific and the United States 9 Cindy was profiled in Heather Croall s 1999 documentary Paradise Bent Boys Will Be Girls in Samoa 10 In 2008 Cindy was a finalist on the New Zealand reality show Stars in Their Eyes She is profiled in Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand section on faʻafafine 11 12 Michelle Eneliko was a prolific local educator who was 1st runner up for Miss Island Queen 1990 Eneliko was among the fatality victims of the Samoa tsunami that devastated the Samoan islands on September 29 2009 13 Miss Island Queen 1993 Shalimar Atisone Seiuli gained national media exposure in 1997 when she was arrested while in the company of Hollywood star Eddie Murphy 14 The incident was publicized by tabloid magazines TV shows and parodied on Mad TV and SNL resulting in several lawsuits brought on by Murphy and his lawyers Seiuli died in Los Angeles reportedly in an accidental fall from her apartment building in 1998 15 In 2003 the scandal was ranked 61 on E TV s The Greatest Shocking Moments in Entertainment History Rachael Ng Lam Miss Island Queen 1995 appeared in the 2011 sequel to the popular Samoan film Tautoga Gaosia playing herself 16 Miss Island Queen 1992 Loata Sipili is currently the highest ranking faʻafafine in American Samoa Sipili is the only locally Certified Diabetes Educator CDE and administers the diabetes care and prevention clinic within LBJ Tropical Medical Center the territory s only hospital Marsha Mageo Shevon Matai Shalimar Seiuli Trisyss Ali amp Samayah Jackson were all teenagers during their reign Island Queens later adapted new regulations restricting eligibility Shevon Matai Tasha Atio o Lydia Risati amp Marion Mageo were all crowned twice as both Miss Island Queen amp Miss American 7 s Pearl Mata u is the oldest winner she was 40 when she won in 2003 Mata u also holds the record for being the longest competitor a total of 10 times in the span of three decades Tasha Atio o and Rexene Yandall are the only past winners to win pageant titles in American Samoa and Samoa Marion Malena Mageo Miss Island Queen 2005 amp Miss American 7 s 2007 is noted as a multiple pageant winner winning more than 8 titles in both American Samoa and the Mainland Miss Island Queen 2008 Princess Auva a is a local movie actress Auva a starred in Heart to Heart and Seki A Oe A Crazy Samoan Love Story both filmed and produced in American Samoa amp is serving in the US Army Miss SOFIAS 2017 Eden Brown was the winner of the 2014 Le Leo O Amerika Samoa Ara Lei Mahealani Yandall 2nd Runner Up in 2010 amp 1st Runner Up in 2018 at the Miss SOFIAS Pageant was crowned as the 9th Miss UTOPIA International Miss Island Queen 2000 Agalelei Fatuesi became the first Faʻafafine to campaign for Public Office in the 2018 Election Miss SOFIAS 2013 Roberta Laumoli became the first Trans Fashion Designer to Showcase her creations amp designs at the 2019 London Pacific Fashion Week representing American SamoaPast winners Edit 17 18 List of former Miss Island Queen titleholdersYear Miss Island Queen Hometown Village Age Host Venue1979 Nancy Olo Fagatogo Herb amp Sia s Motel1981 Marsha Mageo Taputimu 17 Herb amp Sia s Motel1983 Tanya Laumoli Vailoatai 29 Tumua Palace Nightclub1984 Rexene Yandall Atu u Tumua Palace Nightclub1985 Shevon Matai Fagatogo 17 Herb amp Sia s Motel1987 Tasha Le Atio o Fagali i Samoa Fagatogo 19 Rainmaker Hotel1988 Stacie Titiali i Alofau Rainmaker Hotel1989 Julie McEntire Meleise a Leloaloa 21 Rainmaker Hotel1990 Danielle Mose Atu u Rainmaker Hotel1991 Cherylmoanamarie Cherie Ripley Leone Rainmaker Hotel1992 Loata Sipili Ili ili 37 Rainmaker Hotel1993 Shalimar Atisone Seiuli Mapusaga 17 Rainmaker Hotel1994 Hazel Wells Talia Malaeloa 21 Rainmaker Hotel1995 Rachael Ng Lam Apia Samoa Rainmaker Hotel1996 Ericha Thompson Pago Pago 28 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium1997 Tiffany Diaz Potasi Fagatogo 22 Rainmaker Hotel1998 Isabella L Valentino Apia Samoa Rainmaker Hotel2000 Lei Cameron Fatuesi Fagatogo 29 Pago Bay Restaurant2001 Lydia Risati Fagatogo 30 Rainmaker Hotel2003 Pearl Mata u Afono 40 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2004 Sheena T Willis Ipi Ieli Aua 37 Maliu Mai Beach Resort2005 Marion Malena Mageo Pago Pago 20 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2006 Marlo Fuimaono A oloau 31 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2007 Bianca Yoshimiro Miscoi Pago Pago 23 Pago Pago Community Center Tautua Hall 2008 Princess ArriannaAuva a Malaeloa 22 Pago Pago Community Center Tautua Hall 2009 Didi De Barge Afuafi Malaeloa 28 Tradewinds HotelS O F I A S is established Year Miss S O F I A S Hometown Village Age Host Venue2010 Pearl Langkilde Apia Samoa Tradewinds Hotel2011 Trina Tui Ili ili 26 Tradewinds Hotel2012 Tepatasi Vaina A oloau 25 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2013 Roberta Fierce Laumoli Vailoatai 24 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2014 Maya Saumaeafe Aphrodite Blaque Ierome Tula amp Fagatogo Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2015 Arykah Contess Nicole De Lon Cre Fonoti Aoloau amp Aasu 33 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2016 Jayleen Von Shmidt Galea i Iuli Chun Leone Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2017 Eden Brown Iliili 27 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2018 Valentana Faumuina Leone 28 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2019 Vanessa Simanu Ta amu Utumea East Fatuoaiga Catholic HallList of former Miss American Sevens titleholdersYear Miss American 7s Hometown Village Age Host Venue1999 Shevon Matai Fagatogo 31 Pago Bay Ball Restaurant2000 Christina Robinson Apia Samoa Rainmaker Hotel2001 Tasha Le Atio o Fagalii Samoa Fagatogo 33 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2002 Mavis Connery Apia Samoa Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2003 Athena Mauga Pago Pago 25 Maliu Mai Beach Resort2004 Aysha Tomanogi Nu uuli 25 Maliu Mai Beach Resort2005 Lydia Risati Fagatogo 33 Maliu Mai Beach Resort2006 Shiki Leaupepe Atu u 26 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2007 Marion Malena Mageo Pago Pago 22 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2008 Trisyss Ali Suva Fiji Leone 17 Governor Rex H Lee Auditorium2009 Samayah Jackson Tualaulelei Pago Pago 19 Tradewinds HotelRunners Up Miss SOFIAS Title EditYear 1st Runner Up 2nd Runner Up 3rd Runner Up 4th Runner Up2010 Maya Aphrodite Blaque Jerome Ara Lei Mahealani Yandall Kiesha Cole Not Awarded2011 Roberta Fierce Laumoli Davina Wallace Ualesi Not Awarded Not Awarded2012 Jayleen Chun Tallahassee Mauga Not Awarded Not Awarded2013 Antoneesha Misa Jaynah Karter Muao Moesha Bird Not Awarded2014 Arykah Fonoti Viva La Juicy Mahe Anse Raphael Lafaele Not Awarded2015 Chrystahl Portia Fiso Dessy Mua ava Annie Olo Alanna Fizz Gore2016 Miah Manuleleua Davina Wallace Ualesi Christian Wright Saalea Not Awarded2017 Aruni Talaifaga Valentana Faumuina Lima Schwenke Francine Tuutatau2018 Ara Lei Mahealani Yandall Mikaela Saelua Dezonikah Michaels Isabella Ah Mu Mageo2019 CeCe Iavai Dezonikah Michaels Micay De La Cruz Aruni TalaifagaReferences Edit Samoa News Princess Auva a relinquishes crown in tonight s Miss Island Queen pageant Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 Retrieved 2010 02 19 Samoa News New Miss Flowers crowned Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 Retrieved 2010 02 19 Samoa News Miss American 7s crowns new Queen tonight Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 Retrieved 2010 02 19 Samoa News Fa afafine groups merge to become one SOFIAS Archived from the original on 2011 07 15 Retrieved 2010 09 09 Seattle Gay News Page 3 SGN Exclusive interview Dr Vena Sele Samoan activist and Transgender pioneer Friday June 18 2010 Volume 38 Issue 25 SGN Archived from the original on March 6 2016 Retrieved 2017 04 02 Books Buy Books Online at Best Prices In India Flipkart com Archived from the original on 2012 07 30 Retrieved 2017 04 02 1 dead link A Gender Variance Who s Who Cindy Filo 1969 performer Zagria blogspot com 2008 11 19 Retrieved 2017 04 02 Paradise Bent Boys Will be Girls in Samoa IMDb I m a woman with extras Cindy of Samoa Gaynz com Archived from the original on 2017 04 03 Retrieved 2017 04 02 Cindy Filo as Tina Turner Gender diversity Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand Teara govt nz Retrieved 2017 04 02 Samoa News Educator Queen of All Queens laid to rest in Leone Archived from the original on 2011 07 16 Retrieved 2010 02 26 Transsexual prostitute arrested in Eddie Murphy s car May 2 1997 CNN 1997 05 02 Retrieved 2017 04 02 Eddie Murphy Makes Nice with Enquirer E News Eonline com 1997 07 31 Retrieved 2017 04 02 Shalimar Seiuli IMDb Samoa News Working at the forefront of Diabetes Care Loata Sipili Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 Retrieved 2010 04 15 Samoa News Princess Auva a of Malaeloa now Island Queen Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 Retrieved 2010 02 19 Samoa News Didi Asa Afuafi of Malaeloa is New Miss Island Queen Archived from the original on 2009 09 05 Retrieved 2010 02 20 External links EditAutobiography of prominent Samoan fa afafine educator Dr Vena Sele Shalimar Seiuli at IMDb 2008 pageant photos 2009 pageant photos Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Miss Island Queen Pageant amp oldid 1131017769, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
